Fire burns in industrial part of North Dakota town

Williston, N.D. • A massive fire broke out early Tuesday at an oil supply company in an industrial part of the western North Dakota oil patch town of Williston.

Authorities have set up an evacuation zone within a half-mile radius of Red River Supply, which is just east of downtown, according to Williams County Emergency Manager Mike Hallesy.

The fire broke out around midnight Monday, Hallesy said. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the fire. No injuries were immediately reported, the Williston Herald said.

Occasional fireballs were accompanied by the pop of explosions around 1 a.m., and thick black smoke billowed above the towering flames. Law enforcement officers hurried to evacuate onlookers and reroute traffic.

A regional hazardous response team and North Dakota National Guard officials are monitoring air quality near the site, where the fire was still burning at 6:30 a.m., and a cloud of greyish smoke hung over Williston.

Red River Supply officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The business provides services to oil companies working in North Dakota's oil patch. It has rail spurs for loading and unloading liquids such as crude oil, and dry goods like drill pipes and casing, according to its website. The company's website also says it provides storage, blending and delivery of drilling fluids, such as calcium chloride, calcium bromide, calcium nitrate and pot ash.

Emergency responders are expected to remain on scene for the next day or two, Hallesy said.

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